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I’m very sad and you should be, too!

I just read an article in regards to the murder of 8-year-old, Madyson “Maddy” Middleton from Santa Cruz, California.

Maddy, who went missing twenty-four hours earlier, was found dead in a dumpster behind the Tannery Arts Center. She was last seen riding her scooter when she went missing. The results of her autopsy revealed this 8-year-old, who is someone’s child; was beaten, raped and strangled. Imagine how terrified she must have been. It takes my breath away!

I did some research in regards to the Tannery Arts Center. There are 100 one to three bedroom apartments. Meant for artists, musicians, and writers who earn less than the average medium income, which was $69,600 in 2014. Because it receives federal funding and subject to fair housing laws, they cannot discriminate against non-artists when choosing tenants. So, therefore, not all tenants are artists.

The individual arrested for her murder is 15-year-old, Adrian Jerry Gonzalez. He also lives at the Tannery with his mother, Reje “Reggie” Dimailig Factor, and from all indications it’s a dysfunctional situation, to say the least.

Let’s start with Ms. Factor. According to an attorney who represented her in a civil case. Who described her upbringing as shattered by divorce and a frequent lack of money, employment and housing. The attorney also stated, “She’s had a difficult life.” See where they’re going here?

Next is Adrian Jerry Gonzalez (AJ) the perpetrator (murderer) of this horrific crime. According to his birth certificate, he was born at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center in Santo Cruz.

When AJ was not yet 2-years-old, Abraham Gonzalez (AJ’s father?) was arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor battery in a relationship. Only convicted of the latter and sentenced to three years of probation. It’s not clear if Ms. Factor was the victim in that case because they could only locate a partial court record.

For many years during his AJ’s childhood, his mother worked numerous jobs. One job, in particular, in a discount store, which her boss made sexual advances towards her and she quit. A subsequent sexual harassment lawsuit filed.

Ms. Factor ran out of money, and they became homeless. They lived with friends, and then a homeless shelter and the harassment case eventually settled out-of-court, to which she received an undisclosed sum. Mom’s made some poor choices. Also, dad doesn’t seem to be involved. I’m going to stop here because it’s the same storyline. You know the same show, but different actors.

Apparently, AJ appeared in Santa Cruz Superior Court. He addressed the felony charges that include murder with a special allegation of lying in wait, kidnapping, forcible rape, lewd acts with a child younger than 14 and sexual penetration with an instrument.

Dressed in a green T-shirt and khaki pants issued to minors at Juvenile Hall, he appeared solemn and answered “yes” when asked by the judge if he would waive his right to a speedy trial.

He (his case) appointed to public defenders and they spoke for the first time in AJ’s defense. “This case is extremely tragic and devastating to two families and the Tannery Arts community, and much more people in this country and beyond.”